Kasoa Traders Lose Livelihoods , as Assembly Demolishes Shops for 24-Hour Economy Project

Several traders at the Kasoa New Market have been left counting their losses after the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly demolished several commercial and production structures to make way for a proposed 24-hour Economy Market Centre.

The demolition exercise, carried out over the weekend, affected numerous shops, including corn and cassava processing mills, sparking anger and frustration among traders whose businesses were destroyed.

Aggrieved shop owners strongly resisted the exercise, accusing the Municipal Assembly of acting in bad faith despite an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between trader representatives and the Assembly.

According to the affected traders, the demolition was conducted without adequate consultation or a clear transition plan, leaving many uncertain about their investments and future business operations.

Although the traders stated that they support the government’s initiative to modernise local commerce through the 24-hour economy policy, they criticised authorities for failing to properly engage them or address their economic concerns.

Some traders disclosed that they secured personal loans to build their shops and have not received assurances regarding compensation or relocation.

“We took loans to put up these structures, but now they want to demolish them without compensation or even giving us an alternative place to trade,” one trader lamented.

Responding to the concerns, the Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Nash Nyandey, defended the exercise, describing it as lawful and necessary.

He explained that the operation was deliberately scheduled for Saturday to minimise human casualties and reduce traffic disruption, as the affected section of the market was expected to be less active.

Mr Nyandey further stated that the demolition forms part of the government’s broader vision to establish 24-hour Economy Market Centres across the country to boost economic activity.

“We have engaged every stakeholder on several occasions. The municipality has noted that any trader who will be affected should come to the assembly for further compensation. So far, it is the uncompleted structures we have demolished,” he said.